Beverly's Angie Miller visits with Centerville students during her trip home

Angie Miller, former Centerville student and current finalist on the hit reality competition show "American Idol" returned home on Saturday and made her former elementary school her first stop.

By Nick Malfitano / nmalfitano@wickedlocal.com

Milford Daily News

By Nick Malfitano / nmalfitano@wickedlocal.com

Posted May. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 6, 2013 at 6:21 AM

By Nick Malfitano / nmalfitano@wickedlocal.com

Posted May. 6, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 6, 2013 at 6:21 AM

Beverly, Mass.

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Angie Miller, former Centerville student and current finalist on the hit reality competition show "American Idol" returned home on Saturday and made her former elementary school her first stop.

Miller’s first grade teacher Fran Ridge produced a class photo from the 2000-2001 school year at Centerville Elementary School, when Miller was her student. Miller was shown in the upper-left corner of the photograph, where a poster in the background reading “Success!” was hanging up directly next to her. For Ridge, who remembers her former student clearly, the irony was far less than a coincidence.

“She was shy and quiet. She was a good student back then with a sweet little voice,” said Ridge.

Fellow teacher Rosemary Bane Bogan said that besides Miller being a great singer, she’s also acting as a role model for the children of Beverly.

“We’re just very excited to have her here,” said Bogan. “The students here need to dream big, and that’s one of her slogans. She just went for it, and she’ll be our next ‘American Idol.’”

Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Maryellen Duffy stated that Beverly couldn’t have had a better day weather-wise for Miller’s homecoming celebration to take place, and that the excitement about her return grew steadily during the week, especially when it was confirmed that Miller made the Top 3.

“On Thursday, it was like, ‘We’re on,’” said Duffy. “The children here at Centerville Elementary School received letters and admission bracelets on Friday, it was very organized. The other schools were all going to be along the parade route as well. It’s just a great day for Beverly and for Massachusetts.”

“I was doing somersaults around my house,” said Colten of when she learned that Miller had made the Top 3.

Her friend and classmate Kristen Kalivas was just as enthusiastic. “I was pretty close to screaming,” said Kalivas.

The two girls raised over $200 to create custom-made banners cheering Miller on — one of which was hung at Cahill Park and the other at Harry Ball Field, near Miller’s home on Essex Street.

“We put it there because we knew she could see it,” said Colten.

Colten and Kalivas went through their teachers, school administrators and the superintendent’s office to seek permission to fundraise for the banners and were given the OK from all district personnel.

“The superintendent liked the idea, and the school sent flyers home to everyone’s families,” said Colten. “People’s donations went from $1 to as high as $30.”

Page 2 of 2 - Besides raising money to create the banners for Miller, the two girls donated all remaining money generated to the Cameron Kirk Fund, an account named for a six-year-old Beverly boy who passed away of cancer over two years ago. The fund is used to help ill children in the local area or those in desperate need.

Colten and Kalivas’s excitement only increased when they learned that Angie Miller wanted to meet them personally and autograph their banner, in addition to meeting with other students from her former elementary school. Soon enough, the moment that Centerville Elementary waited for had arrived.

Miller entered with her mother, Tana, and the “American Idol” film crew to a very excited room full of cheering students, their families and members of the local media. The “Idol” contestant took the time to sign Colten and Kalivas’s banner, address a group of students on the importance of staying true to themselves, following their dreams and having a best friend, take photographs with some of her biggest fans and answer questions from the news media.

“This is awesome,” said Miller, upon taking in the reception at her former elementary school. “I didn’t even know what to expect. This is an elementary school, and I’m already blown away. It feels like home.”

When asked if she was thinking about the “Idol” competition, Miller’s reply indicated that it was the farthest thing from her mind at that point.

“While I’m here in Beverly, I just want to enjoy the day and forget about the competition,” said Miller.

Miller later said that in addition to pursuing the dream of her singing career, she wants to be known as “an example and an inspiration” to her fans.

“I want everyone, but especially young girls, to know that confidence is a beautiful thing,” Miller said.

Miller stated that the American Idols LIVE Tour, which features the Top 10 contestants on the show, begins at the end of June and that she also was looking forward to getting into the studio after the competition was over.

Miller’s mother, Tana, was very happy at the response Centerville Elementary School gave her daughter.

“It’s insane; I can’t believe this,” said Tana, adding that she was a little tired from traveling and that both the family and the “Idol” crew were still re-adjusting to the time difference from the West Coast.

After a few last well wishes, Miller proceeded to Beverly High School for another brief meet-and-greet, and then on to downtown Beverly for her parade.